God's Ways Are Higher Than Mine
God's Ways Are Higher Than Mine |
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(Fun adventure with Tyler and Anna in Colorado!) |
Greetings from Texas!
There were some surprising plans I didn’t expect to happen last month. On October 21st, I had a good conversation with a missionary family through FB messenger. They asked me to join their upcoming event in West Africa on October 30th. At that moment, I did not have my passport which was still being processed at the Embassy. I also had doubts that this could work out so last minute. I hadn't made a plan, and my funds weren’t secure for this trip yet. I told them I wasn’t able to join, but I felt something strange about the excitement in my heart for this trip. Three days later, I had a Zoom chat with them and they again asked me to come. My heart was going back and forth about this trip, but I tried to ignore the signs. I really thought it was too late and too last minute. I wrestled with an uneasy feeling for several hours that day. I have been reminded in the past to remember the testimonies of what He has done in my life. That “last minute” is His perfect timing and is not last minute to Him. God showed me several things. I realized His plan is bigger than the way I may think. I finally decided to pray.
That same day, I received an email from the Embassy that my passport would be delivered in two days. I finally decided to obey and trust God, no matter how crazy it seemed. I told God, “To be honest, I dislike last-minute things like this. I feel nervous about this crazy plan, but I am willing to trust you. Thank you for reminding me of who you are, and that your thoughts are bigger than mine. You know that I don't have money for the trip, but if this is your plan I know you will make a way. Show me your way and give me the names of people who can help.” |
SCRIPTURE
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, |
After I waited for a few minutes, the names of people who could help appeared in my mind. I contacted them and they agreed to help me purchase the flights five days before the trip. Of course, I gave them an explanation, and they agreed it was crazy, but they too decided to trust God. I also received one-time donations when I sent out a request email for covering the hotel and meals. I was wondering about my passport since it was supposed to be sent soon. I called the Embassy and learned that it had already arrived at my parents house which was the wrong place. I immediately called my mom to see if she had it, and she did. I asked her to expedite it to Texas. I received it three days before my departure on October 31st! The event started a day before I arrived, but I didn’t miss everything because some people hadn't arrived that day either. It definitely was God’s plan and perfect timing!
StoryCamp
I am pretty excited to share the below with you! Some of you did not know that I went to West Africa. I wrote the last newsletter about what StoryCamp was focused on.
“It will take seven days to translate seven stories into the heart language of the Deaf. These will be recorded and uploaded onto a video Bible for Deaf people to have access to. They are bringing Deaf people together from 5 countries in West Africa for the StoryCamp, including Senegal, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Gambia, and Niger.
StoryCamp was such a great experience! I witnessed how Deaf Africans go through the crafting process of learning Bible stories. These stories touch their hearts to grow in a deep relationship with God. They do this by getting to know who He is through their heart language. They are very hungry to know Him intimately. I too decided to join in and learn how to use my hands for the Bible stories. We did dramas, coding drawings, and storytelling. We also read visual pictures that helped us to remember the Bible stories. I realized that I overlooked some details in the Bible that I recently learned something new about! I was amazed at how successful this process is. The third day at StoryCamp, I received a vision when I used my hands through the crafting process. I will share with you this exciting vision in the next newsletter about a new project with the Bible translating team! |
(You will see several video clips that I was working on during StoryCamp. It gives you an idea of how it looks.) -Video: 2 Mins 39 Secs- |
Interpreting
The countries of Gambia, Senegal, Burkina Faso, and Sierra Leone have somewhat different sign languages to communicate. However, Gambia is very different from the rest. Sadly, two Nigerians did not make it to the StoryCamp. There were 13 campers divided into three groups to work on the crafting process together. I was with four Deaf males, including two Senegalaises, a Burkina Fason, and a Gambian. I found something extraordinary in how God placed me at the right time to help a Gambian guy who remembered me when I was doing mission work in his country for a year in 2019. He struggled to follow the steps through the crafting process initially, so I ended up interpreting for him in Gambian sign language (GSL). I thought I barely remembered GSL, but I was surprised how I have been picking it up pretty good and did my best to provide information for him. After that, he worked well with a group by using the gesture of hands to communicate with others. I thank God for using me to help him at the beginning of the process.
Faith Involves Risk
I witnessed how God impacted the lives of three young Deaf Africans who decided to follow Jesus fully and received baptism. There were two males from Gambia and Senegal and a female from Senegal. I admired their faithful to Jesus because they already faced persecution from their own Muslim/Catholic families who threatened to kill, abandon, and/or beat them. Their families expected them to reconvert to the Muslim/Catholic faith instead of following Jesus, but they refused and stayed firm as the new followers of Christ. They knew they were at high risk of the worth of following Jesus Christ for eternal life no matter what if they faced living or dying on the earth.
They are young adults but still live in their families' homes which is very common in African cultures. Their families did not know that their children went to a camp that was all about Jesus. They received a request that their deaf children go to a StoryCamp for the deaf community to develop stories, so they permitted them to go. They thought it was just the deaf community developing stories. Now, they know that StoryCamp focuses on Bible stories about Jesus, so they have forbidden their children to go there next time. If you want to know the testimonies of these Deaf Africans’ and what happens to them for risking their lives, please feel free to contact me to make a video call appointment. I prefer not to share more here because I care about their safety. I ask you to pray for these people who’s countries do not allow religious freedom like ours. This event stirred my heart, because I want to see more Deaf Africans have an intimate relationship with God. This starts with understanding His word in the Bible in their heart language which is visual and not a written language in most cases. Furthermore, they would also be able to share the Good News with other Deaf people once they experience God through His word for themselves! |
(Here is a video of the West Africa trip. I did not add any baptism pictures in this video for safety reasons.) -Video: 2 Mins 3 Secs-
I made a message in the end of video: "I want to say a big thanks to all of you that supported my trip to West Africa. In doing so, you also supported these people behind me and our relationship to flourish! Their testimonies inspire me. I kindly ask you to continue praying for them, and our goal of growing our community of believers. Agree? They said YES, THANK YOU!* |
School Enrollment
I have decided to join Deaf Theological Center (DTC.) This program will help me better learn the crafting process without words. My goal is to bring the resources to teach Deaf Africans in the 1040 window when I finish with the school. It is hosted in Nashville, Tennessee, and partners with Union University. I just got accepted into their masters DTC program for classes for 15 credits, which starts in January 2023 and will end in June! Also, I am very excited to share that I just received a $10,000 scholarship that will cover housing, food, supplies, tuition, fees, and books! It is such a blessing! If it was not for the West Africa trip, I would not be in school. I see how it is worth it to listen carefully and obey God’s call, or I might miss out on opportunities.
Returned to the USA
After the West Africa trip, I flew to the USA and visited three different states, New York, Colorado, and Illinois. I met my friend Sarah in New York and caught up with her at breakfast together. I stayed in Colorado for a week for my beloved friend Anna’s wedding. Anna and Tyler, her new husband, took me out on a very fun adventure a few days before their wedding. Her wedding was so beautiful! I was really happy for them! After that, I decided to visit my family for Thanksgiving. My dear grandmother, Janie, is not doing well unfortunately. She is very special to me and the matriarch of my family. I kindly ask you to pray for her. Thank you. After a month of a lot of traveling I’m finally back in Dallas safely, and catching up on some much needed rest. |
Photos in New York & Colorado -Video: 55 Secs- |
Family Pictures |
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Financial Update
Good news, on December 1st, I paid off my debt to the missionary family who covered the hotel and food in West Africa for me with your one-time donations. Thank you again for ensuring that my travels went so smoothly, and for supporting me financially and with your prayers while on mission. I truly can not do what I do without your love and support! You are a huge blessing to me, and I am thankful for each and every one of you this thanksgiving season.
Much Love,
Kevlasha Humphrey |
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